Why Didn’t OBC Seats Increase With More Zila Pramukhs? High Court Questions Rajasthan Govt
The Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice seeking a response from the state government and the Panchayati Raj Department regarding the allocation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation for Zila Pramukh positions across the state.
The Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice seeking a response from the state government and the Panchayati Raj Department regarding the allocation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation for Zila Pramukh positions across the state. A single-judge bench headed by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand issued the order during a preliminary hearing on a petition challenging the current quota distribution.
The court raised questions as to why the number of seats reserved for OBC candidates remained unchanged despite a significant increase in the total number of Zila Pramukh positions following the reorganization and creation of new districts in Rajasthan. Delhi High Court Issues Notice on PIL Seeking 50% Reservation for Women in DUSU Elections.
The petition, filed by Radheram Godara and represented by advocates Anand Sharma and Arvind Kumar Sharma, highlights an inconsistency in the reservation figures. In 2020, when the state had 33 Zila Pramukh posts, five were reserved for OBC candidates, representing roughly 18 percent reservation. Following district realignments, the total count of Zila Pramukh posts rose to 41, yet the OBC quota was kept static at five seats, effectively reducing the representation to around 16 percent.
The petitioners have urged the court to direct a fresh calculation of OBC reservation for Zila Pramukh posts to ensure fair and proportionate representation within Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj framework. They argued that based on updated numbers, the quota should increase to seven seats while strictly adhering to the 50 percent constitutional ceiling on total reservations established by the Supreme Court.
Additionally, the plea raised concerns over the report prepared by the State OBC Commission on political reservation. The petitioners noted that the report has not been made public by the government, alleging that the current quota determination lacks a transparent and verified empirical foundation. Manoj Jarange Patil Ends Hunger Strike, Says Would Remain Firm on Quota Demands.
The High Court has instructed the state government, the Panchayati Raj Department, and the Additional Advocate General to submit their official responses, setting September 8, 2026, as the date for the next hearing and final disposal of the matter.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 03, 2026 12:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
